A HERO police officer made false child abuse claims against his neighbours during a three-year terror campaign.

Lying detective Jim Kerr turned on Martin McDonald and Ruth Nicholson when they refused to back him in a dispute with another neighbour.

The 46-year-old forced the married couple to leave their home and move 50 miles away to escape his threats.

Kerr falsely claimed they neglected their baby son Charlie. He was also convicted of assaulting Martin and trying to throw him over a barbed wire fence.

The disgraced officer – who received two bravery commendations – also wasted his colleagues’ time when he made a bogus hate crime allegation against a pensioner.

Kerr’s successful career is in ruins after details of his shameful conduct emerged in court.

HR boss Martin, 35, criticised Police Scotland chief Sir Stephen House for failing to act when informed about Kerr’s behaviour. He said: “Police Scotland sat on their hands and allowed things to escalate when they refused to help. Kerr made our lives hell.”

Martin and his wife Ruth left their home in Greengairs, Lanarkshire, after being targeted by Kerr.

The officer wanted support in a feud with another neighbour over access to a road outside his home but Martin and Ruth refused to take sides.

Victim - neighbour Martin McDonald

The knockback triggered a campaign of threats, violence and false allegations between 2012 and 2015, which led to the couple fleeing their home for an address in Ayrshire.

Kerr, who’s been an officer for almost 20 years, made a phone call to police and claimed the couple’s nine-month-old son was crying after being left alone in a car.

CCTV footage revealed the infant sleeping in the vehicle and being regularly checked by his parents.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how the couple had returned home from a day out and had not wanted to wake their son, who had just fallen asleep. Instead, they left him in the locked car and covered him with a blanket for a short time.

When the police arrived, they had already taken Charlie indoors.

One officer who gave evidence said she recognised Kerr from his voice.

In a separate incident, Kerr attacked Martin and tried to throw him over a barbed wire fence when the pair clashed over the officer’s behaviour.

Martin said: “Kerr told us of a dispute between him and other owners in a nearby farmhouse over access rights. He asked us not to have contact with them after he saw us chatting.

Court heard of argument over access to house

“The subject was raised several times but I politely declined and suggested it was a matter for the civil courts.

“Things then turned nasty and his demeanour was often aggressive. He also made false allegations about us.

“His behaviour towards my family escalated to the point of severe harassment.

“He terrorised my wife while I was at work and she was on maternity leave, staring in the windows and making his presence known whenever she was entering or leaving.”

Kerr also accused Marion Wall, 69, of targeting him in a hate crime and lodged a complaint with police. He falsely accused the pensioner of raising a finger to her head to indicate he had mental health issues.

Kerr was found guilty of assaulting Martin, threatening him twice and wasting police time by falsely claiming he and his wife neglected their son.

He was also convicted of making a false hate crime allegation against Marion.

In 1999, Kerr put his own safety at risk during a robbery. He was praised for his professionalism during another robbery in 2003.

Sentencing, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll said: “It’s very sad and disturbing that a serving detective constable of 18 years’ service should find himself in court and found guilty of a variety of offences against your neighbours.”

Kerr was given a six-month tagging order, which prevents him from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £1850 and do 200 hours’ community service.

He refused to comment when he left court.

Police Scotland said Kerr is suspended from duty, adding: “A report is being prepared for the deputy chief constable.”